Planning a trip to London, the vibrant capital of England? The city offers something for everyone. There are amazing attractions for history buffs that capture the essence of English heritage and several entertainment options for those who wish just to have fun. To help you make the most out of your trip, here is a guide to the top 11 places to visit in London, showcasing the very best of England’s culture and charm.
From the famous museums to iconic entertainment hubs, here are eleven must-see places in London on your next visit!
List of Top 11 Places To Visit In London This Year
If you wish to explore London the best way, you should not miss landmarks like the Buckingham Palace, British Museum, and more. Here are 11 such places that should be on your checklist for a perfect holiday. These places include:
- The British Museum
- Warner Bros. Studio
- Buckingham Palace
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Big Ben And House Of Parliament
- London Eye
- Borough Market
- Victoria And Albert Museum
- Camden Lock Market
- Hyde Park
- West End Theatre
1. The British Museum
Step back into history at the British Museum. This amazing historical marvel will offer you a fascinating journey through human history, art, and culture. More than 8 million artifacts are on display at this museum, covering everything from ancient civilizations to modern times. It is one of the four best museums in London that you must visit on your trip and understand the importance of British History.
Did you know? The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world? YESS. It was founded in 1753, and what’s even more impressive is that it has been free to the public ever since it opened its doors in 1759!
- Best Time to Visit: Early mornings (weekdays) to avoid crowds
- Top Things to Do
- See the Egyptian gallery and spot mummies and sarcophagi
- Go to the Enlightenment gallery for an 18th-century museum experience
- Do not miss checking out the Rosetta Stone and Crouching Venus.
2. Warner Bros. Studio | The Making Of Harry Potter
When in London, how can you miss the most iconic film series of all time- Harry Potter? A visit to the Warner Bros. Studio offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the sets of Harry Potter. You can watch the original sets, props, and costumes from the films and enjoy an exciting getaway in London.
Did You Know? Platform 9 ¾ really exists at the Warner Bros. Studio London, which you can experience during your tour!
- Best Time to Visit: June to August for pleasant weather
- Things To Do:
- Ride the Hogwarts Express
- Feel the thrill of Diagon Alley
- Try Butterbeer at the backlot Cafe
3. Buckingham Palace
The royal grandeur of London, in fact, the entire United Kingdom, can be experienced through Buckingham Palace. It is the official residence of the British monarchy and has been a part of their history for centuries. Each year, Buckingham Palace is open to the public for a limited time. You can take London tour packages and plan a visit to this amazing palace to take in the Royal History.
Did You know? Before she ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II, the young Princess Elizabeth was a Girl Guide for the Buckingham Palace! Princess Elizabeth, along with her sister, Princess Margaret, formed the 1st Buckingham Palace Girl Guide Company.
- Best Time To Visit: Thursday for lesser crowds and weekend mornings for guided tours
- Things To Do:
- Book a Royal Day Out for additional fees.
- Take the State Rooms and Garden Highlights tour
- Book an Exclusive Evening tour of the Buckingham Palace
4. St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul Cathedral is one of the famous historical landmarks in London. This iconic cathedral has witnessed major cultural and religious events in history and has stood tall through the rich tapestry of time. It has hosted the royal weddings of Prince Arthur and Princess Catherine, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee celebrations, and the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher.
Did You Know? St. Paul’s Cathedral was the tallest building in London from 1711 to 1967!
- Best Time to Visit: Late mornings or early afternoons to avoid crowds.
- Top Things to Do
- Admire the soothing carvings of Grinling Gibbons in the quire
- See the glided dome murals of Sir James Thornhill’s
- Climb up to the Golden Gallery for panoramic views of London
- Take a complete sightseeing tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral
Read More - Things to Do In London
5. Big Ben And House Of Parliament
Your London checklist for the best places to visit will be incomplete without seeing the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. These are more than just outdoor attractions of London. These landmarks offer a glimpse into the rich political history of the United Kingdom with stunning architecture and true British essence. Remember that Big Ben and Parliament are the most famous landmarks in London to visit. So, make sure you explore this prominent symbol of the United Kingdom and its parliamentary democracy.
Did You Know that the Big Ben Clock once stopped at 11:07 p.m. and didn’t work for 90 minutes straight? It happened on 27 May 2005 due to an extremely hot temperature!
- Best Time To Visit: At Dusk or in the evening to enjoy the lighting from outside view and in the morning for a tour inside Big Ben and Parliament houses
- Things To Do:
- Self-guided Palace of Westminster Audio Tour
- Guided tour of the Palace of Westminster
- Big Ben Tours
- Inside UK Parliament Guided Tours
- The State Apartments of Speaker’s House Tours
6. London Eye
Looking for the best views in London? Nothing’s better than this amazing outdoor attraction of London, United Kingdom. The London Eye is an iconic outdoor attraction at the Southern Bank of the River Thames. It is a giant observation wheel that offers panoramic views of the entire city from the top. You can see major attractions like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and even Buckingham Palace once you are at the top.
Did You Know that the London Eye was intended to be a temporary building, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Well, in July 2022, Lambeth Council granted it a permanent licence.
- Best Time to Visit: early opening time and towards closing time.
- Things To Do Nearby:
- Take a London EyeRiver Cruise
- Visit Madame Tussauds London
- Enjoy SEA LIFE London
- Try a Champagne Experience or book Big Bus London
7. Borough Market
Borough Market is a heaven for Food Lovers. It is one of the most famous food markets in London, England, offering gourmet street food, artisanal products, and fresh produce. If you are a foodie, then it is one of the best places to visit in London, England, for an amazing culinary experience.
Did You Know? It is one of the oldest suburbs in London with a history dating back to 1000 years!
- Best Time To Visit: Late Afternoon or early morning to avoid crowds
- Things To Do:
- Taste the mouth-watering doughnuts at Bread Ahead
- Try one of the special goat milk icecreams at Greedy Goat
- Be Pasta-licious at Padella.
8. Victoria And Albert Museum
The V&A, or Victoria and Albert Museum, is perfect for art lovers. Its diverse collection of decorative arts is unrivaled. The museum offers historical and contemporary design, including artworks from one of the world’s richest cultures. A visit to the V&A museum will make you feel like you have time-travelled using Doctor Who’s TARDIS.
It is one of the best free things to do in London and a perfect museum to add to your sightseeing list for the trip.
Did You Know? V&A Museum was first known as South Kensington Museum for over 40 years. But in 1899, Queen Victoria renamed it the Victoria and Albert Museum after herself and Prince Albert.
- Best Time To Visit: Late Afternoon
- Top Things To Do:
- Check out the Fashion Gallery for an iconic costumes display
- Admire Antonio Canova’s three graces
- Explore the British Galleries of 1700-1800
- Stroll the museum’s courtyard garden
Read More - Places To Visit Near London
9. Camden Lock Market
The Camden Lock Market in North London is one of the best places to shop in London. There are handmade crafts, vintage clothing, international street food, and more available in this incredible market. It has more than one thousand unique shops, stalls, cafes, and bars, making it one of the best places for shopping in London, UK. Another major highlight is free music from time to time, making tourists and locals swarm in for all the fun.
Did You Know? Camden Market, located in London, England, is really film-famous and has been featured in a number of TV shows and films, including Happy-Go-Lucky and Paddington.
- Best Time To Visit: early morning or later in the day for perfect bar experiences
- Things To Do:
- Go to Hawley Wharf
- Visit the historic Stables
- Have a date night at one of the cages or bars
10. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the largest Royal Park in London, with plenty of space for almost everything. The park hosts many events every year, from high-energy rock concerts to simple debates and holiday events. Some unmissable live events at Hyde Park make your visit here commendable. This 350-acre parkland in central London is perfect for sports, swimming, picnics, casual strolls, and even boat rides.
Did You Know that Hyde Park was first designed as King Henry VIII’s hunting grownd in 1536?
- Best Time To Visit: Autumn season to witness a colorful transformation
- Top Things To Do:
- Try boating on the Serpentine
- Smell the fragrance of various roses in the Rose Garden of the park.
- Pay respects at the Diana Memorial Fountain.
11. West End Theatre
If you want to know more about London’s arts scene, West End is your way to go. The most exclusive place for unlimited entertainment and a world-class theatre experience awaits you there. Enjoy hit musicals, watch dramatic plays and much more at this entertainment hub of London.
Did You Know? In 1800, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, an assassin aimed at King George II. Thankfully, both shots missed, sparing the monarch.
- Best Time to Visit: Summer, Christmas, and December to February.
- Things To Do:
- Catch a popular musical like The Lion King or Wicked.
- Watch Back to The Future - The Musical
- Watch the award-winning play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Plan Your London Adventure
This concludes our list of 11 best places to visit in London for a memorable getaway. London is one of the best cities in England and the UK, and you can experience the most of it through the major attractions we mentioned above. If you are planning a specific-themed trip, check out our guides to famous historical places in London or explore the London Nightlife Events this weekend. Book your flights to London with Lowfarescanners today and experience a journey without any hassles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the must-see tourist attractions in London?
A: When in London, do not miss visiting:
- The Big Ben
- The British Museum
- West End Theatre
- London Eye
- Borough Market and more such attractions
Q2. Which places in London offer the best views of the city?
A: For the best views of London, visit the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Horizon 22, Bishopsgate. Check between free and paid viewpoints depending on your requirements and experience the most beautiful panoramic views of London City.
Q3. What are the best free places to visit in London?
A: There are many free places to visit in London, including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Borough Market, the Sky Garden, the National Gallery, and more. Check out our list of the best free things to do in London for a quick guide.
Q4. What's the prettiest place in London?
A: London has many beautiful places to see, but the prettiest of them all are Strawberry Hill House, Kew Gardens, Leadenhall Market, Tower Bridge, London Coliseum, Dalloway Terrace, and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.
Q5. How many days in London is enough?
A: For a perfect exploration of the city, three to five days is enough, but we still recommend to at least a week in the town and taking time to explore each part of London. Only exploring the London art galleries and museums may take up one whole day.
Q6. What is London's most visited attraction?
A: In 2023, the British Museum ranked first among the most visited tourist attractions in London, followed by The Natural History Museum in South Kensington and Tate Modern.
Q7. What is the cheapest time of year to visit London?
A: If you want the lowest price on a flight to London, the cheapest time of year is January through March. The temperatures are cool around this time of year with occasional rainfall, and there are fewer events or public holidays, which means fewer crowds.
Q8. When Is The Best Time to Visit London?
A: The best time to visit London is between June and August. It is the prime season for tourists, with warm and pleasant weather throughout. July and August are peak seasons for the entire country of England, Wales, and even Scotland.